Violent Night (2022), starring David Harbour as a rugged, action hero Santa, delivers a wildly entertaining twist on holiday films. Combining dark humor, brutal action, and unexpected heart, the movie follows Santa as he defends a family held hostage on Christmas Eve. Harbor shines as a jaded yet surprisingly endearing Santa, bringing grit and charm to the role. The film’s blend of holiday magic and high-octane violence is reminiscent of Die Hard but with a festive twist.

Director Tommy Wirkola balances the chaotic fight scenes with moments of redemption and holiday spirit, creating a surprisingly satisfying narrative. While the film isn’t for traditionalists (its R-rating is well-earned), it’s perfect for fans of unconventional holiday fare.

Rating: 8/10: A bold, bloody, and refreshingly unique holiday film that’s destined to become a cult classic.

A pair of loser best pals decide to crash the cool kid’s end-of-the-year bash, unaware that the whole computer virus Y2K craze is about to become horrifyingly real! 

So Eli (Jaeden Martell) and Danny (Julian Dennison), the self-proclaimed “Sticky boys for life!”, basically have only each other. Typical high school boys, talk rather consistently about make-outs and sex and even trade a trophy Durex condom between them as their token “king of the make-outs moment” icon. They troll the local VHS video store and the stoner proprietor Garrett (director Kyle Mooney) for purported wisdom, endure bullying from the likes of CJ (Daniel Zolghadri) and Farkas (Eduardo Franco) and Soccer Chris (The Kid Laroi), and sadly many others, and inevitably Eli has happy hormone-laced dreams of being with closeted nerd and final girl Laura (Rachel Zegler). Eli’s parents Robin (Alicia Silverstone) and Howard (Tim Heidecker) are living their bygone days of being cool, fascinated by their still-new here in 1999 cellphones and dismissing concerns of this “Y2K nonsense”, while Danny’s mom Cheryl (Maureen Sebastian) really is super cool and breathlessly includes Danny in her Tae Bo kickboxing lessons. 

Even after Laura and her crew of jock and popular kids decide to flat use Eli and Danny as cover for their oh-so-daring daylight robbery of a local convenience store’s liquor, our Sticky Boys are still compelled to go crash the last party of the year. Of course, Danny wants it far more than Eli, but still, hearing that Laura and her community college boyfriend Jonas (Mason Gooding) broke up and fortified with pilfered alcohol and derring-do, the Sticky Boys throw on their version of party clothes and hop aboard a bike, like a for-real lame-ass ten-speed bicycle or whatever, and give it a go! 

It should come as absolutely no surprise that Danny turns out to be the way more social of our Sticky Boys, and while he means well, telling the story of how Eli came to be known as “piss-mouth” loudly at a high school party probably wasn’t the best idea. Seeing Danny finally get some make-outs as the clocks loudly begin counting down the new year is enough for Eli, but as he sullenly prepares to leave, things begin to take a massively unexpected turn! 

Here in 2024 there are far too many things we rely on that happen to have computer chips or some kind of electronic equivalent in them, and while 1999 might have been less so, the Y2K virus that began small and maybe cute starts sucking up every last bit of electronica it can find and quickly goes murder-massacre on the kids in true Gremlins 2-style mayhem! Death by flung CDs, a la the bartender in Hellraiser III, if anybody besides me remembers that! Death by castrating drinks blender, ooooh nooo! The deaths just get more creative and insane, and Eli and a few fortunate survivors hoof it off to find someplace where the deadly Y2K virus can’t get at them! 

The movie is full of nostalgia for the 90s music, particularly for the Limp Bizkit megahits that were everywhere then, which makes sense since Fred Durst himself has a giant cameo in the movie. The reveal of the conglomerated computer bad guy is very much like the amazing-for-the-time computer graphics of The Lawnmower Man, which hey, came out in 1992 too! And perhaps best of all, the showing of Y2K in my theater was hosted by the legendary Tony Hawke y’all. Full of remember-when tunes, fun practical-effects killer gags, and a huge “Hey, I did that too!”-style vibe, Y2K should be your new ring in the Happy New Year movie comedy, in theaters now!

Few films capture the intersection of holiday cheer and sheer terror quite like Michael Dougherty’s Krampus (2015). This darkly comedic horror film blends yuletide traditions with chilling folklore, delivering a festive nightmare that has cemented its status as a must-watch for horror enthusiasts during the holiday season.

Krampus draws on the Alpine legend of the titular creature—a sinister counterpart to Santa Claus who punishes those who lose their holiday spirit. When young Max (Emjay Anthony) renounces Christmas after a disastrous family gathering, he unwittingly summons Krampus and his terrifying minions to wreak havoc on his dysfunctional household. What ensues is a tense, darkly funny fight for survival against supernatural forces.

Why Horror Fans Should Watch

1. A Unique Spin on Holiday Horror

Krampus delivers a refreshing take on Christmas movies by replacing syrupy sentimentality with macabre humor and genuine scares. The film skillfully balances a grim tone with absurdity, making it a rare gem in the holiday-horror genre.

2. Stunning Practical Effects

Dougherty’s background in creature design (Trick ‘r Treat) shines through with Krampus’ menacing appearance and his army of nightmarish toys and demonic elves. The practical effects and atmospheric set pieces add a tactile, old-school charm that horror purists will appreciate.

3. Social Commentary with a Darkly Comic Edge

Beneath the terror lies a biting critique of consumerism and familial dysfunction, themes that horror fans often relish for their depth. The film uses its scares and laughs to explore how easily the holiday spirit can be lost in modern times.

4. A Standout Cast

With performances from Toni Collette, Adam Scott, and David Koechner, the ensemble brings comedic timing and emotional resonance to their flawed, relatable characters. Their journey from bickering chaos to desperate unity adds weight to the terror unfolding around them.

5. A Memorable Monster Movie Ending

Without spoiling too much, Krampus ends on a note that is equal parts chilling and thought-provoking, leaving audiences questioning the true meaning of Christmas—and their survival instincts.

Krampus is a delightful addition to any horror fan’s Christmas lineup. Its mix of dark humor, folklore-inspired scares, and holiday critique makes it an instant classic that stands apart from more traditional holiday fare. If you’re tired of saccharine Christmas movies and want something with bite (and maybe a little blood), Krampus is the gift that keeps on giving.